by J. L. Madore
Both mother and child must live, Mir. It is essential.
"That's all I needed to know." Bending to the cot I assessed my patient and then my surroundings. "Galan, I need you and . . . Iadon, is it?"
"Yes."
"This cot is too low for an extensive healing. Gently, move the whole thing onto that table, grab as many lanterns as you can manage and bring those decorative screens over to give us some privacy." As I rhymed off the list of things I'd need the two men sprang into action and Aust's mother, Elora, broke free of her supporters to retrieve the washbasin and linens.
The hand that grabbed my arm squeezed and yanked me back. "You forget your place female." Galan's father spat the word female like it left a foul taste in his mouth. "You hold no authority here."
My inner fire threw sparks. I looked from the man's sneer to where he was cutting off circulation to my arm and back. "I will use my gift and I will save them because Castian asked me to. It's you who has no authority here. Now, release my arm and let me work."
"Castian asked?" He laughed. "Just because you can perform some parlor trick—"
"Trust me. You don't want to piss me off right now. Let go of me." Heat was building in my chest. I fought to retain an air of propriety. I was their first contact for god's sake.
"Never have I taken orders from a female and today will not be the day to start."
"Last warning." I pulled at my arm and when his grip didn't lessen, my temper let loose. The tangle of my hair flew wildly around my face and energy blazed across my skin, exploding in a wave. Galan's father snatched his hand back, shaking the scalded digits as I pivoted to step behind the screen.
So much for not spooking the townsfolk.
Strong arms grappled me from behind and clasped across my chest. Fuck propriety.
With a quick elbow to his ribs, I twisted, thrust my knee into his crotch, and just for good measure followed up with a palm-thrust to his arrogant pie-hole.
Galan lunged around the privacy screen, wide-eyed and then glanced down at his father writhing on the floorboards clutching himself. The corners of his mouth twitched and I saw the gleam in his eyes. "Did he offend your womanly abilities?"
I calmed my hair and moved to my makeshift surgery table. "Something like that."
Nyssa was unconscious as Galan kissed her knuckles and squeezed her hand. "Hold on, Nyssa, Jade will take care of you."
I pulled Nyssa's shirt off her stomach and placed my hands firmly on the baby. Bowing over the bulge, I reached out. The baby was in distress. Her little heartbeat was slow and irregular. She was out of position, and Nyssa was hemorrhaging.
"What is it, Jade?"
A freaking mess. "Nothing I can't handle."
Galan searched my face and though I hoped he couldn't read the truth, his eyes pinched closed. "This birthing will be different. I know you will save them."
"I cannot lose them," Iadon whispered. "I will cease to exist without my mate."
Elora, moved inside the screens, carrying the blankets and supplies I'd asked for. After setting them on the deep window ledge she gasped at something in the main chamber.
I gave a quick glance. Lexi waved as Aust caught his mother in his arms. Maybe with all the turmoil the Highbornes would miss the fact that Aust was wearing sunglasses inside the hall.
"How does she fare?" Galan asked.
"I need to get this bleeding stopped."
"And if you cannot stop it?"
"Then, I'll take the baby."
"And what of Nyssa?" Iadon brushed his finger down her cheek.
I took a total pass on that one. "She's a fighter, right? Focus on that." With both my hands pressed above the baby I began to sing.
Galan looked to Iadon to explain. "Jade's healing energy comes from Castian, the patron god of poetry and music. When she sings, the strength of her gift is enhanced." My breath caught as Iadon and Galan began to sing with me, their voices a harmonized in silken sorrow.
Fully connected, the shimmer of Nyssa's memory filled my mind.
* * *
Nyssa and Iadon meandered along a riverbank path, strolling into a golden meadow of wildflowers and hummingbirds. Their feet crunched on tiny stones and the perfume of hyacinth blooms filled the air. Nyssa waved to a stunning young woman with silver locks, lying on the grassy hill next to Galan. He was sleeping, a look of utter of contentment on his face. With his shirt open, his muscled chest absorbed the heat of the afternoon sun.
Nyssa approached, laughing at what Lia had been up to. "You best flee when he wakes."
"He is adorable," Lia said, a guilty smile tugging at her mouth.
"You are both incorrigible." Iadon kept a straight face but couldn't hide his amusement.
Galan half opened his eyes and eased his arm from behind his head. When he brushed the lavender flowers braided into his hair, Lia and Nyssa burst into giggles. Fully awake now, he rolled over Lia, straddling her waist. He mussed her locks and tickled her sides until she squirmed in a fit of squeals. "What am I going to do with you, little one?" he said.
"Love me, forever?"
"As if there were ever a choice."
* * *
I pushed away the images, listening as Galan reminisced about their childhood, whispering into Nyssa's ear. Every now and then Iadon would nod at one of Galan's memories and chuckle with him.
It was full dark outside when I finally gained control. I was beyond drained, past dizzy and verging on nausea. I wiped my brow with the back of my wrist. "Iadon, I'm going to wake Nyssa up. I've stopped the bleeding and rotated the baby to where I need her. It's time to push."
"Will they survive?"
"We're doing well." I squeezed in beside Galan at the head of the bed and massaged her temples, realigning her energies. Concentrated on the thrum of her heart I worked until, after a few minutes, her eyes fluttered open.
"Melamin." Iadon clutched her hand to his chest.
Nyssa looked from her husband to Galan and back. "My young!"
All three of us jumped to calm her as she began to thrash.
"No Nyssa." Iadon said. "The babe is well. Shhh." He stroked her cheek, his tears glistening in the lamplight. "I swear it."
As she exhaled, she met my gaze and froze.
"Nyssa, this is Jade." Galan's tone was low and reverent. "She is a healer in Castian's service and has been caring for you and your young."
I nodded and moved to her side. "The blow you took caused some bleeding. I've repaired the damage, and now it's time to have this baby. Are you ready?"
Galan straightened. "I shall return your privacy."
Nyssa clamped onto his hand and shook her head. "No, I need you with me."
"Stay," Iadon said. "Please, for Nyssa and the babe."
Galan kissed her forehead and reclaimed his seat.
"Okay gentlemen, ease her up."
Galan and Iadon each slipped an arm under Nyssa and lifted her forward. Once Elora had made her comfortable we were ready to roll. Initiating labour was easy-peasy after everything we'd been through. Within minutes Nyssa was bearing down.
"Iadon, would you like to be the one to bring your daughter into this realm?"
"Is that possible?" His eyes glistened. "Oh Jade, verily I would love it."
"Hurry. She's anxious to meet everyone."
Iadon left Nyssa's side taking two quick steps toward me, then dashed back to his wife to give her a kiss and then hurried back to my side again.
Nyssa chuckled then grimaced as she clasped her free hand against her belly. "She's impatient, like her eda."
I positioned Iadon's unsteady hands to support the baby. A moment later, their baby girl was in his grasp and wailing. The worry and despair he'd worn like a shroud all afternoon was replaced by a radiation of sheer bliss. "Merry meet, Ella," he choked, "We waited some time for you, little one." When his voice broke, he cradled her to his chest and closed his eyes.
Elora brought a small blanket and basin to the table and busied herself as
I took care of finishing things on my end. When Ella was clean and calm, Iadon laid her in Nyssa's arms.
"Hello neelan," Nyssa whispered, her cheeks glistening.
Ella wasn't the first baby I'd delivered, though she was the first Elven baby. I couldn't decide if her angelic features were genetic or if she was simply extraordinarily perfect. Tiny blonde wisps framed a cherubic face and curled over tiny pointed ears.
Galan bent over Nyssa and kissed the top of her head. "Congratulations, Naneth."
After taking a sec to wash up, a wave of dizziness hit. My hand shot out to catch the wall as the floor of the chamber began to wave. Whether it was the emotionally charged day or the hours of healing, the room just wouldn't settle.
"Jade?" Galan's arms drew me tight against his chest. When the world steadied, he lifted my chin to meet his gaze. "Gratitude, Jade." He kissed me on my nose and stepped back. "I wish to formally apologize to you, once again, before friends and family. True to form, I continue to apologize to you for one thing or another."
I chuckled. "What for this time, Highborne?"
"I am a hypocrite, a judgmental imbecile, an ass even." He winked and flashed me his crooked smile. "I chastised and vexed you for your gift, until the moment when those I love needed help. I cannot begin to tell you . . . to express how thankful I am for you and your incredible god-given ability. There are no words. I would never have survived this loss. For sparing me that devastation and for giving us this gift, I pledge my eternal gratitude."
He bowed his head, sank to one knee and fisted his hand over his heart. In response to this, Iadon left his newborn with Nyssa and did the same. Then Tham and Aust silently strode inside the screen and they too followed suit.
"Blessed be." Their melodic voices filled the space.
I blinked fast and ignored the Highborne crowd staring at me. "That was easily your best apology yet, Galan. Thank you. Now, get up." Galan winked again as he rose and the touch of his gaze fluttered inside me like a butterfly in my chest. He closed the distance. His hands cupped my face and pulled me against his warm, firm lips.
Sweet gods I'd missed this. His mouth was heaven. His lips moved with such a surge of passion that my eyes brimmed. My body burst to life, pounded, pulsed, and tingled. A bolt of raw, physical need jolted from my toes, snapped through my cells and burned just under my skin. I could grasp the color of Galan's emotions in my mind, a kaleidoscope of swirling hues. I drank in the scent of him. Intoxicating. Then, too soon, he withdrew and pulled me into his arms.
"Thank you, Jade Elizabeth Glaster, for all of your quirks and gifts and uniqueness. You are an exceptional female, an unstoppable force of nature. My life has been blessed and forever altered because you are a part of it."
The fact that he was whispering meant nothing. Every person behind those flimsy screens was leaning forward to catch the show, staring, scowling and whispering.
The other men stood and Galan realized Tham was back. "What news have you of Lia?"
"Reign and I followed the trail until its end at the river's fork. Faolan covered the forest. There is no sign. The Scourge must have vanished using one of those magical portals or Flashes to another location. Reign took Puff and Naith and returned to Haven with Samuel while the Talon enforcers remain to take up the search. They said they shall contact us as soon as there is news. In the meantime, Jade and Lexi are to continue readying the village."
I squeezed Galan's shoulder. "Reign will find her. Don't panic yet."
He rounded on me. "The Scourge have my sister. How can I not?"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
We sat at the newly excavated breakfast table in Tham's cottage picking at the fruit and sweet breads Elora had sent over for us. Despite his nonchalance, Tham was actually a very gracious host when put to the task. His place was modest and welcoming, in a weekend by the lake kind of way. And he'd bent over backward to make Lexi and I feel at home.
Most of yesterday had been spent occupying Galan in an effort to clear enough floor space for the four of us to live. Lexi and I were sharing Tham's parents' old room and Tham and Galan were in Tham's room. The task of organizing and airing out Tham's life had worked well to distract Galan. Now that we were settled, he was definitely not.
"Three days." Galan dragged his fingers through his hair. "Three days and nothing."
"It's barely been two, Galan. Try to stay calm." I reached across the table to touch his arm. He pulled back.
"Please, Jade, you must ask Castian to aid us."
I shook my head. "That's not how it works. He's the god of all members of the Realm of the Fair. He won't interfere as long as no Fae gods or members of other Pantheons are involved. If it's a realm problem he won't get involved." I nudged the tray of fruit toward him and tried to recall when he'd eaten last. He looked at the platter with disdain then flipped the glare at me.
Tham ended the uneasy silence. "So, ladies, were we correct about the elders?"
I pinched the stem of a large purple dewberry and set it on the edge of my plate. "Well, nobody has clucked or scratched in the dirt if that's what you're asking."
"Actually they've pretty much stayed out of our way." Lexi shrugged and sipped her juice. "We established a formal perimeter, training schedules and worked out our team leaders for ongoing security patrols. They haven't opposed a thing. Either they don't know what to make of us or they're scared shitless of Jade and her evil ways." Lexi wriggled her fingers, giggling.
"Watch it. I know where you live."
Lexi laughed harder. "Or maybe it's the fear of igniting your blazing hell-fire temper."
"Is that the true reason your warrior comrades call you Blaze?" Tham asked. "I thought it might have been a tribute to your hair."
"No. It's definitely her temper." Lexi giggled. "Oh and her little trick with candles."
"Little trick?"
"No trick," I said, shrugging. "Sometimes when I lose my temper candles burn wild." I thought about my little temper tantrum in the inner chamber yesterday and sighed. "Temper or not, I shouldn't have sacked Galan's father. As an emissary of Haven, it was bad form."
"No apologies," Galan said. "He deserved that and more."
Tham broke a piece of pastry off a large loaf and slathered on some mango chutney. "I heard you were trying to save the lives of Nyssa and Ella at the time, were you not?"
I nodded. "Still, it was crude." I bit my berry and its juice dripped down my chin. I chased the sticky mess with my napkin and picked up another berry, which I held out to Galan. He was having none of it, staring across the room, shoulders stiff and jaw clenched. I pinched off the stem and held it to his lips. "We'll find her, Galan."
He waved away my hand and slid the fruit platter across the table. "The Scourge took the lives of twenty-eight villagers, including Aust's father. There is nothing to stop them from killing Lia. If she still lives." Galan's chair scraped against the floorboards as he stood.
My breakfast sat like a stone in my gut. I pushed away my plate. "She's alive. They sought her out and left as soon as they had her. There's a reason." I took out my phone for the hundredth time. Ring dammit. "How were Aust and Elora at the memorial ceremony last night?"
"Persevering with grace." Tham said. "Apologies again for your exclusion. Aust wanted you to be there, despite the upset it would have caused."
Lexi shrugged. "Traditions are traditions."
"Besides," I said, "we enjoyed taking care of the baby."
Tham ran his fingers over the row of runes embroidered on the black choker he'd worn the past two days. "I detest grieving bands."
"Nonsense. They are a lovely tradition." Galan adjusted the black band where it lay against his Adams apple. "I pray Aust knows he does not face Cameron's death alone."
"He knows," Tham said, wiping his empty plate with his bread. "Nyssa invited him and Elora for evening repast with us tonight. With his eyes the way they are Elora wants him to remain in the shadows for now. The elders will never accept his . . . what?
Evolution? Transformation? Well, whatever it is, with the loss of Cameron, the two of them are dealing with quite enough."
I nodded. "If it's ready, Galan and I will go through the portal tomorrow and find out what's happening with the search for Lia and maybe something about Aust's gift."
"I cannot believe the elders allowed such a gateway to be established inside the village."
"Jade can be very persuasive when she wants to be." Lexi winked. "Besides, if the Scourge return, help can flood from Haven to your streets in a matter of minutes." She tipped back the last of her juice and checked her watch. "Gotta run. The morning training session starts in fifteen. Wait till you boys see what I have planned. It's going to make yesterday's workout feel like a picnic in the meadow."
"Oh, joy." Tham piled the dishes on the buffet and stretched his neck. "Then come along tiny-she-devil and crack your whip." Lexi slapped his shoulder and he arched away from her touch. "So Jade, what plans of torture and torment have you this morning?"
"Nothing too arduous." I stood up and straightened the shirt I'd borrowed for the day. "I thought Galan and I would take those llama-horse-things out for a long range sweep."
Galan turned from the window, the sunlight highlighting worry on his pale face. "Those renier would love a long ride. Alas, I am due in the meadow for Lexi's torture session."
"Well, I do happen to have a considerable amount of influence over your trainer." I laughed and held my hand out to him. "Come with me for a few hours. It will clear your head." When he made to argue, I raised my palm. "If Reign calls we'll come right back."
"I am not fit company, Jade. You might well regret this."
I took his hand in mine and headed for the door. "I'll take my chances."
Galan led me to the western edge of the village where the stables and pens were bustling with livestock: renier, strange looking cows with double chins, large peccary things, chickens. . .
We found what we needed in an Elven equivalent to a tack room and readied the renier. Galan chose Celeb, a gray and black male which stood about seventeen hands and I picked a chocolate brown mare named Roch. She would've measured just under fourteen. With their long, thick wool, we didn't need saddles, so all Galan had to do was rig up some ropes to act as a bridle. They whinnied, stomped and jerked at their tethers, apparently excited for a morning ride.